Swaziland

It’s time to get ready to ‘Eat, Sway & Love’ with the full Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival experience, on 30th September and 1st October, at House On Fire! This year, Standard Bank and House on Fire have even more to bring you with this holistic family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion and Afro-centric music celebrating the wealth, sophistication and elegance of African heritage. Sway to the music at the Standard Bank Luju Main Stage, featuring an authentically African-rooted live music programme, showcasing the powerful, diverse and sometimes hidden sounds and rhythms of Eswatini, the region and beyond. Indulge your inner foodie in the Amphitheatre, the iconic setting for the culinary programme. Don’t miss the Afro-Fusion cooking showcase by celeb foodie Somizi and the finale to the Pick n Pay Luju Cook-Off competition, as well as a selection of fabulous DJs. Be inspired by some of the most innovative hair and fashion designers in Eswatini, with the high energy and glamorous Luju Runway Fashion Show on the new GALP Energy Garden stage and enjoy the live acoustic and poetry performances. Then be prepared for some serious shopping at the Fashion Café Marketplace, offering a carefully curated selection of the best in Eswatini Design, Beauty and Fashion. There’ll also be a Best Dressed competition, so if you haven’t got your Luju outfit together yet, make an emergency call to your designers now! Expert South African mixologists will be on call to create the perfect cocktail for you at the Cocktail Lounge, situated next to the GALP Energy Stage, in the fashion hub of the festival. Don’t miss out on the curated cheese and wine pairing demonstrations at the Cheese & Wine Saloon and make sure to sit and enjoy the selection of fine imported and local beers in the Luju Beer Garden.  Open on Saturday, The Beehive Kidzone is reserved exclusively for children’s activities. Here, busy little bees can immerse themselves …

It’s almost time to Eat, Sway and Love again at the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival on 30th September and 1st October, at House On Fire in Eswatini. With a range of food, fashion, music and lifestyle offerings, the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival has something for everyone. There will be a runway fashion showcase for some of the best designers in the nation and a “Best-Dressed” competition for our stylish festivalgoers, so if you haven’t got your Luju outfit together yet, make an emergency call to your designers now! This year, Standard Bank and House on Fire have even more to bring you with this family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion and Afro-centric music, celebrating the wealth, sophistication and elegance of African heritage. Music The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival is pleased to announce some new additions to the Luju Line-Up with Afro-Jazz/Soul powerhouse Ezamaswazi, Siswati Blues singer King Don Thobela, and Jazz pianist and composer Sibusiso Malindzisa, all from Eswatini. They will be joining the other exciting acts, including South Africa’s King of Dance, Zakes Bantwini, who has just won multiple awards at the South African Music Awards 2022, the mesmerizing Ami Faku, renowned Cape Verdean/Portuguese singer Lura, Radjha Ali from Mozambique and Eswatini’s Soul sensation Msimisi. Fashion  The Luju ethos, A Return to the African Future, magnifies Africa’s rich history as a constant inspiration for creative transformation. Captured in our strong African Vintage fashion focus, we revisit vibrant trend eras, bringing back inspiration that influences current and future styles. This year, our fashion focus theme is HAIRvolution, in celebration of our crowns, which are not only an extension of who we are but an expression of our power to influence, challenge, and change. This year, let your HAIRDO the talking and let’s start a HAIRvolution! The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle …

The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, back for its 4th edition, is a family-friendly feast of culinary exploits, high-end fashion and Afro-centric music, celebrating the wealth, sophistication and elegance of African heritage on the 30th of September and the 1st of October, in Eswatini. With Afro-Fusion as the culinary theme and embracing Luju’s ethos, “A Return to the African Future”, the culinary programme will mix exotic seasonings into a vibrant melting pot of indigenous tastes and techniques. In an exciting development, The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival is proud to announce that celebrity, media personality, and food enthusiast Somizi Mhlongo will provide an Afro-Fusion cooking demonstration, as well as being the host of the Pick n Pay Luju Cook-Off Competition finale for up-and-coming cooks and chefs in Eswatini. While he has always maintained that he is not a chef, Somizi has built a great reputation as a food enthusiast and kitchen influencer over the years. His recently released cookbook, Dinner at Somizi’s — I Am Not A Chef, is filled with heartwarming, delectable recipes. Some recipes, like the chilli oxtail, were inspired by his late father, who was a chef at BlueWaters Hotel in Durban back in the 1980s. Somizi will bring his love of all things African, whimsical, and delicious to the Pick n Pay Luju Cook-Off Stage where he will engage with local Cook-Off contestants in an entertaining and exciting event. The Pick n Pay Luju Cookoff is just one of the exciting events in the Luju culinary programme. Festivalgoers can celebrate the cultural diversity and influence of African flavour provided by the numerous food options available in the Luju Food Garden, as well as pop-up stands around the festival grounds, and feast at the Luju Long Table, which will tantalise the taste buds with rich offerings for your palate. All the details about the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival 2022 can be found …

The HAIRvolution is Here! The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival is a unique and sophisticated African-vintage styled celebration of the local, the wholesome, the creative, and the delicious. A truly sensory experience unlike any other, Luju takes place in Eswatini on the 30th of September and the 1st of October. Luju’s ethos, “A Return to the African Future,” pays homage to, and celebrates Africa’s beauty and style, from the past to the present and onwards to the future. It’s a journey of the senses, a re-imagining of our heritage, and a sneak preview of the design innovations of tomorrow. The Luju Fashion Café will once again be showcasing the best of Eswatini Design, Beauty and Fashion, shining a lens on how our African heritage shapes culture and influences how we express our identity. This year, the Luju ethos finds expression in the Fashion Café focus on the theme HAIRvolution, which embraces our crowns as a source of pride and inspiration. Our hair goes to great lengths to tell a story. It is not only an extension of who we are, but an expression of our power to influence, to challenge and to change. With our crown, we amplify cultural beliefs and command attention. We effectively oppose conformist standards of beauty and ignite a positive movement toward social transformation. This year, let your HAIRDO the talking. Tussle up those manes and let’s start a HAIRvolution! HAIRvolution at the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, in collaboration with Dala Spaces, will be hosting well-known South African Hair Artist Nikiwe Dlova for a HAIRvolution showcase at the festival, preceded by a workshop in Eswatini where she will lead and collaborate with local hair stylists. Nikiwe Dlova is a multi-disciplinary Hair Artist from South Africa who produces creative hairstyles, headpieces, and artworks using synthetic hair extensions, wool, fabric, and beads, amongst other materials. Nikiwe is fervently driven to tell African stories …

The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, back for its 4th edition, is a lavish two-day feast of music, fashion, entertainment, culinary exploits, and connoisseur-led premium wine and whiskey showcases, taking place in Eswatini on the 30th of September and the 1st of October. Among the exciting acts announced this week are the King of Dance, Zakes Bantwini (South Africa), and Ami Faku (South Africa), whose wide range and uplifting music has mesmerized audiences since her debut on Season Two of The Voice SA. The initial artist announcement reflects the festival’s growing regional and international footprint, with artists such as Lura (Cape Verde), Radjha Ali (Mozambique), Shane Cooper & MABUTA (South Africa), as well as Afro-Soul sensation Msimisi (Eswatini). Luju is a unique and sophisticated African-vintage styled celebration of the local, the wholesome, the creative, and the delicious, truly a sensory experience unlike any other. The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival ethos, “A Return to the African Future,” pays homage to, and celebrates, Africa’s beauty and style, from the past to the present and onwards to the future. It’s a journey of the senses, a re-imagining of our heritage, and a sneak preview of the design innovations of tomorrow. With The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival taking place over 2 days this year, guests are invited to stay on-site in luxury Luju style with walk-in glamping tents (en suite hot showers included!) or camp with the ready erected tents, available for both Friday and Saturday nights. Glamping and camping tickets are now available alongside Luju Festival tickets on the newly revamped Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival website. Avoid disappointment and book tickets now! www.lujufestival.com Artists confirmed for this year’s Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival include: Ami Faku (South Africa)  Amanda Nomqhutsu Faku is a South African …

MTN Bushfire 2022 wrapped up its successful 15th edition on Sunday May 29th with thousands of fans who brought their fire for the first time since 2019 in a safe, peaceful and inspiring environment that celebrated the passionate commitment to music, the arts, and the environment. Over 11 000 guests from all over the world gathered together over three days within the newly upgraded MTN Bushfire spaces and campsites. The festival was once again completely sold out based on the reduced capacity required for COVID-19 safety protocols. With 3 stages and over 70 acts, MTN Bushfire 2022 was a resounding success. More than a music festival, MTN Bushfire also runs a number of important cultural development initiatives. Prior to the festival kicking off the public, the annual Schools Festival took place with young people from the local community taking part in a two-day arts education project. This year, the Schools Festival included over 600 students, enabling an appreciation and understanding of the importance of the arts. This year’s Arts Round Table, a partnership with the Africa Rising Music Conference (ARMC), a new, female led, executive-focused music industry conference, hosted speakers from the region and from around the world, all with expertise across various pillars of the music business ecosystem. Speakers from the Southern African region, The Netherlands, Germany, Rwanda & Americas took part in this powerful session aimed at further developing the local Eswatini music industry. As an African rooted yet global festival, this year’s line-up featured a strong African focus and yet also welcomed artists from across the globe. With acts from afar afield as Nigeria (Seun Kuti & The Egypt 80), Eritrea and the Netherlands (Rimon), the DRC (Tresor), Reunion Island (Aurus), Mozambique (Moticoma), Botswana (Mpho Sebina), Lesotho (Leomile), Ghana & Netherlands, (BnnyHunna), Germany (Jamie and Blindsmyth), and Austria (Gavriela). Hosts Eswatini also showed off its …

It’s official – tickets to the MTN Bushfire festival have sold out on all platforms! Winner of the Most Responsible Event Award at the African Responsible Tourism Awards in 2017, and hailed by CNN as one of the “7 African music festivals you really have to see,” MTN Bushfire is looking forward to Reigniting The Fire in the beautiful, peaceful valley of Malkerns, in the Kingdom of Eswatini, for an energizing 3-day weekend from 27 – 29 May! In true MTN Bushfire style, the eclectic and exciting line-up this year features a host of pan-African and international artists from across different genres; acts like Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Don Laka, Ihhashi Elimhlophe, Tresor, The Ndlovu Youth Choir, Sands, DBN Gogo, Khole, and Mpho Sebina, who do more than simply entertain but use their art as a powerful form of creative expression. Festivalgoers can anticipate exploring the many strands of the wholesome and family-friendly tapestry of MTN Bushfire at the Global Food Village, Barn Marketplace, Bring Your Fire Zone, KidZone and more! Please note tickets will NOT be sold at the gate. Festivalgoers are reminded to bring valid proof of vaccination against Covid-19 to gain entry to the festival grounds; a valid ticket alone will not be enough. For more information, please visit the MTN Bushfire website: www.bush-fire.com To keep up with the latest news follow @mtnbushfire on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za International/. MTN Bushfire 2022 Tickets Sold Out! Submission Details Author: Karla Smit from Red Flag. More Info link: Images: For a high res version of THIS image please contact Red Flag Facebook: Twitter: …

MTN Bushfire is ready to welcome firestarters back to the festival from 27 – 29 May 2022 with its #BRINGYOURFIRE clarion call to ignite action for social change. The #BRINGYOURFIRE mandate guides the festival’s conscious and continuous efforts to promote tolerance and inclusivity and to challenge discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality or religion, or any other kind. At the core of the #BRINGYOURFIRE philosophy is the festival’s continuous commitment to work with and uplift the Swazi community, through direct support and through providing platforms for creative advocacy to raise awareness and forums for dialogue that address burning social and environmental issues. The MTN Bushfire 2022 Bring Your Fire Zone makes manifest this inspiring call to action. Within the Zone, various partners and festivalgoers actively engage to make a personal contribution and bring the festival’s commitment to social action and engagement to life. Festivalgoers can find out about innovations in sustainable lifestyles, and greener living; take part in the fun, thought-provoking activations; and join their voices to the inspiring discussions and talk-shops in the Bring Your Fire Zone. The Bring Your Fire Zone is a collective responsibility space to discuss and promote awareness of crucial issues that impact our daily lives as well as our future, both locally and globally. Gender equality, sustainable energy, innovation, education, arts development, skills sharing, HIV and health, orphan mentorship support and community development all feature in this vitally important arena. The Bring Your Fire Zone is a space alive with activations and interactions throughout the three-day weekend of the MTN Bushfire festival. Partners from various organizations spark conversations about pertinent issues through their activations and stall displays. Activation Spaces and Murals This year’s Bring Your Fire Zone features a Mural Maze of visual art illustrating the concerns being addressed by the …

MTN Bushfire is very excited to announce the Full Programme for MTN Bushfire! Some of the acts to look out for include Afrobeat icons Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Maskandi legend Ihhashi Elimhlophe, the sensational Tresor, and the high-energy Amapiano star DBN Gogo, as well as Eswatini’s very own Bholoja. In true MTN Bushfire style, the line-up this year will feature a wholesome and family-friendly mix of pan-African and international artists from across different genres who do more than simply entertain but use their art as a powerful form of creative expression. Music fans will find an eclectic combination of the names they know and love, as well as newer acts and artists from around Africa and beyond, as well as theatre, dance and other activations; there is something for all at this family-friendly festival set in the beautiful Malkerns Valley. Please note there are ONLY approximately 300 tickets to the festival left so make sure to book now to avoid disappointment. There will be NO tickets sold at the gate and NO Day Festival passes will be available. Get them now through the MTN Bushfire website Tickets page, where resale tickets at discounted 2020 prices are also available. If you’re planning to stay the whole weekend or need an alternative to driving on the congested roads over the weekend, camping packages for the official campsite next to the Main Arena can be purchased through the Ticket portal on the MTN Bushfire website. Festivalgoers are reminded to bring a valid certificate of full vaccination against Covid-19 to enter the festival grounds. Numerous other Covid-19 safety protocols have been put in place to ensure the safety of everyone at MTN Bushfire, so don’t forget to bring colourful festival-themed masks. MTN Bushfire 2022 Festival Opening Times: Friday, 27th May: 4pm – 2.30am Saturday 28th May 2022: 10am – 3.00am Sunday:29th May: 10am-9.30pm More information and Frequently Asked Questions are available on the MTN …